Ghana woos more Nigerian tourists as NANTA retreat opens new travel opportunities

Strengthening Nigeria-Ghana Tourism Ties

Ghana has restated its commitment to deepening tourism and cultural relations with Nigeria, with the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mr. Yusif Jajah, describing Nigeria as a critical partner in growing visitor numbers to Ghana. The Minister spoke during an executive dinner held at Safari Valley Resort, Adukrom, organized to honor the National Executive Council of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA).

The Nigerian travel trade body visited Ghana for a retreat and familiarisation tour of Safari World, one of the country's leading leisure, tourism, and entertainment brands. The engagement serves as a platform for strengthening collaboration between the Ghanaian government, tourism stakeholders, and travel trade partners from Nigeria.

This executive dinner is an important platform for strengthening collaboration between our government, tourism stakeholders, and travel trade partners. Nigeria, our big brothers, remains one of Ghana’s most important tourism markets.

— Yusif Jajah, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ghana

Nigeria Emerges as Leading Source Market

Quoting from Ghana’s 2025 Tourism Report, the Deputy Minister disclosed that the country recorded over 1.3 million international arrivals in 2025. While the United States remains the primary source of international arrivals, Nigeria ranks as the second largest, contributing over 176,000 visitors within the year.

Mr. Jajah emphasized that these figures indicate a strong people-to-people connection between the two countries. He expressed a desire to see more synergy between the two nations, noting that Ghana is also interested in monitoring the number of its citizens who visit Nigeria to further balance and grow the regional travel exchange.

In other words, out of that 1.3 million, America is the first international arrival, and our big brother Nigeria is the second largest with over 176,000 international arrivals from Nigeria in the year 2025. We appreciate that, but despite this number, we know it’s more than this number.

— Yusif Jajah, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ghana

NANTA Celebrates 50 Years of Regional Connection

In his remarks, NANTA President Yinka Folami, PHD, noted that the association recently celebrated 50 years of existence, boasting a membership of over 4,000 agents across Nigeria. He stressed that the bond between Ghana and Nigeria in the tourism sector has historically been strong and must be sustained to benefit the continent.

Folami highlighted that the two nations have consistently supported the ideals of Pan-Africanism. He argued that administrative maps should not hinder the unity of the continent, urging travel professionals to actively support and market regional destinations like Safari World to their clients.

One undeniable fact is that Ghana and Nigeria have always been on the positive side of Pan-Africanism. Every journey between Ghana and Nigeria will strengthen Pan-Africa.

— Yinka Folami, President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA)

Developing Commercial Opportunities for West Africa

The visit also highlighted the growth of private tourism infrastructure in the region. Mr. Samuel Afari, a forest scientist, conservationist, and the founder of Safari World, stated that hosting the Nigerian delegation fulfilled a 15-year vision to build a partnership between his company and the Nigerian travel market.

NANTA leadership described the conservation and leisure work at Safari World as extraordinary and breath-taking, urging members to convert these destinations into tangible commercial opportunities. The familiarisation visit is expected to result in new tour packages designed to bring more Nigerian travelers to various Safari World destinations in Accra, Ada, and Dawu.

And what you have built is breath-taking. And I want to thank you. So, because we now know, I’m putting this challenge to my colleagues. We must convert this to commercial opportunities for our members.

— Yinka Folami, President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA)